NDT Jobs & Salaries in Lima, OH
The NDT job market in Lima is shaped directly by its industrial base — Refining, Defense manufacturing, Polymers. Major employers and asset owners in the area include Cenovus Lima Refinery, Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (Lima Army Tank Plant), INEOS Lima, all of which run continuous inspection programs and rotate inspection contractors against multi-year MSAs. Code authorities most often cited in local procurement specifications are API 510 / 570 / 653, AWS D1.1, MIL-STD, so any inspector hunting work in Lima should expect those references in interviews and pre-qualification packages. Wages track close to the national median for inspectors, with overtime making up the variable component. A recurring local theme: "Lima's refinery and the Abrams-tank plant share a contractor pool — tracking which Level II is current under API vs MIL-STD on which day is a daily scheduling problem." BLS-anchored Level II wages in Lima run around $78,000/yr; Level III with API endorsements layers on to roughly $118,000/yr — the gap between the two is the single biggest reason local inspectors pursue Level III. Jurisdictional layer matters here: Ohio EPA and API 510/570/653 apply on top of the federal/national codes, and missing the local-authority reference on a procedure submission is a common rejection reason for first-time-into-Lima contractors. One angle that differentiates Lima from peer markets: Lima is the ONLY US Abrams tank manufacturing plant. Turnaround calendar: Spring/Fall TARs — the inspection workforce flexes hard against this rhythm and overtime stacks during those windows.
Local industries
Top local employers / asset owners
- • Cenovus Lima Refinery (Refinery)
- • Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (Lima Army Tank Plant) (Defense manufacturing)
- • INEOS Lima (Petrochemical)
Methods most-used locally
UT thickness; PAUT for high-temperature piping; RT on weld repairs; MT/PT on critical welds; UT; MT; PT; RT.
| Role | Pay (USD) |
|---|---|
NDT Trainee / Helper 0-1 yrs • No certification yet; pursuing ASNT Level I | $38K–$50K |
ASNT Level I Technician 1-2 yrs • ASNT NDT Level I in one or more methods | $48K–$65K |
ASNT Level II UT/RT/MT/PT Inspector 3-6 yrs • ASNT NDT Level II in primary method(s) | $60K–$92K |
PAUT/TOFD Technician 4-8 yrs • ASNT Level II UT plus PAUT and/or TOFD endorsement | $78K–$115K |
API 510 / 570 / 653 Inspector 5+ yrs • API 510, 570, or 653 individual certifications | $88K–$135K |
ASNT Level III / NDE Engineer 8-15 yrs • ASNT NDT Level III in multiple methods | $110K–$175K |
Certifications worth holding for the Lima market
- ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point)
- API 510 (pressure vessel) — turnaround season is gated by the count of API 510 inspectors a contractor can field
- API 570 (in-service piping) — table-stakes for any piping-circuit inspection work
- API 653 (above-ground storage tank) — required for tank shell, floor, and roof inspection scopes
- ASNT Level III in your primary method (the credential that unlocks procedure approval and inspector certification)
Application checklist
- Photo of your current ASNT (or ISO 9712 / NAS 410) certification card and the underlying written practice that issued it.
- Proof of relevant API certifications (510 / 570 / 653) if you are applying to Lima refining, petrochemical, or pipeline work.
- Documented vision examination (current within 12 months) and physical / colour-perception test as required by your written practice.
- A method-by-method experience log totalling the hours required by your level (e.g. 1,600 h for Level II UT under SNT-TC-1A).
- OSHA 10 (or 30) construction safety card; many petrochemical sites also require TWIC, BROWZ, ISN, or Avetta enrollment.
- Procedure-writing samples if applying for Level III or NDE engineer roles — at minimum a UT or RT procedure you authored.
- A signed reference from a Level III or supervising inspector who can vouch for your hands-on experience hours.
Frequently asked
What's the entry-level NDT salary in Lima?
Entry-level NDT trainees in Lima start around $39K-$56K (BLS-anchored regional band). Once ASNT Level I certifications come in (typically 6-12 months), base pay steps to ~$56K-$78K, with turnaround overtime layering on top.
Which NDT certifications are most in-demand in Lima?
ASNT NDT Level II in your primary method (UT or RT is the most marketable starting point); API 510 (pressure vessel) — turnaround season is gated by the count of API 510 inspectors a contractor can field; API 570 (in-service piping) — table-stakes for any piping-circuit inspection work — these are the certifications that show up most often in local procurement and pre-qualification packages. Note also Ohio EPA and API 510/570/653 — local code references that procurement managers expect inspectors to be familiar with.
Are remote / travel NDT roles available out of Lima?
Yes. Most Lima-based inspection contractors run a mix of local turnaround work and travel-rotation positions to other regions; a willingness to mobilise is one of the fastest ways to break into the industry from a Level I background.
Who are the largest NDT employers in Lima?
The biggest single employer of NDT inspectors in Lima is Cenovus Lima Refinery; the broader top-five typically also includes Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (GD Land Systems). Pre-qualification with the top three names unlocks the bulk of the local volume.
What makes the Lima NDT market different from neighbouring cities?
Lima is the ONLY US Abrams tank manufacturing plant Combined with: cenovus lima — well-engineered mid-size midwestern refinery. These local specialties shape the kinds of credentials that get hired here vs. neighbouring metros.
When does NDT hiring spike in Lima?
Hiring follows the local turnaround calendar: Spring/Fall TARs. Recruitment for these surge periods typically opens 60-90 days ahead, so positioning your resume by January for a spring TAR or July for an autumn TAR is the most effective approach.
NDT Training in Lima
Local courses, fees, and accreditation pathways feeding the same employer base.
NDT Services in Lima
The companies hiring inspectors — see the local service catalogue.
Explore Careers in Other Cities
Verified Lima, OH Inspection-Market Data
Hard numbers from BLS, EIA, AAPA, Census & API directories — anchoring this page to Lima, OH's actual NDT market, not a generic template.
- Local Wage Anchor — Level II NDT Technician
- $78K/yr typical for Lima, OH
- Metro Industrial Base
- 104K people in Lima, OH
- Sector Mix (NDT Demand Drivers)
- Refining (42%) · Defense Manufacturing (30%)
- Refinery Inventory
- 1+ refineries — Cenovus Lima Refinery
- Active API-Certified Inspectors (regional)
- ~20 API 510 · ~25 API 570 · ~15 API 653
- ASNT Chapter / Community
- ASNT Lima Section
- Cost-of-Living Impact on Rate Cards
- COL index 78.0 (22.0 pts below national avg) · transport surcharge band: medium
Source: BLS OES OH state 2024
Source: US Census ACS 2023
Source: BEA Regional Accounts 2023
Source: EIA Refinery Capacity Report Jan 2025
Source: API ICP roster + state directories (est.)
Source: ASNT chapter directory
Source: C2ER ACCRA COL Index 2024
Continue Reading — In-Depth Guides
Authored by ASNT Level III inspectors. Real procedures, real numbers, real codes.
- Ultrasonic Testing — Complete GuidePhysics, calibration, codes, equipment, applications.
- Radiographic Testing — Complete GuideSources, exposure, IQIs, ASME V, digital RT.
- Magnetic Particle Testing — Complete GuideAC/DC field, wet/dry methods, ASTM E709, yoke.
- Penetrant Testing — Complete GuideVisible vs fluorescent, ASTM E165, dwell times.
- Phased Array UT (PAUT) — Complete GuideBeam steering, focal laws, scan plans, ISO 13588.
Start Your NDT Career in Lima
Get certified, gain documented experience, and connect with the local employers above.